FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 22, 2018

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP Presents 2017 Plant Excellence Awards
to Northwest Florida Water Facility Operators

~Drinking water and wastewater facilities recognized for operational excellence~

Panama City, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognized five Northwest Florida utilities for their commitment to operational excellence. The 2017 Plant Operations Excellence Awards were presented to three drinking water and two domestic wastewater facilities at the annual Focus on Change Seminar. The drinking water facility award recipients were Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Destin Water Users Inc. and Bay County Water Treatment Plant. The wastewater facility recipients were the Military Point Regional Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Rivercamps on Crooked Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“On behalf of DEP and the state of Florida, I am proud to recognize NAS Whiting Field, Destin Water Users, Bay County Water, Military Point Regional and Rivercamps on Crooked Creek for their commitment to operational excellence,” said Michael Fuller, administrator of the Panama City branch office of DEP’s Northwest District. “We are fortunate to have such outstanding community partners working alongside us, safeguarding Florida’s natural resources and ensuring clean and dependable water for our residents.”

Each year, the department presents awards to domestic wastewater and drinking water facilities around the state that demonstrate excellence in operation, maintenance, innovative treatment, waste reduction, pollution prevention, recycling or other achievements. These awards recognize facilities that demonstrate a special commitment to excellence in management through dedicated professionalism and that have an impeccable history of record-keeping compliance. 

The department is awarding a total of 14 facilities, including six domestic wastewater facilities and eight drinking water facilities statewide. The other awards will be presented at district ceremonies during the Focus on Change Seminars in Punta Gorda, Ocala, Pompano Beach, Lake City and Haines City.

This is the 28th year that the Florida Rural Water Association has conducted the Focus on Change Seminar in conjunction with DEP. The seminar is designed to provide current regulatory information to utilities in order to improve compliance.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at https://floridadep.gov/.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1dc6653